To find colleges that are a good fit, you need to learn about the
factors that can influence your experience in and out of the
classroom. Develop your personal list of college search criteria
to find the best colleges for you.

A better search strategy will give you better results! Whether
you want information about colleges you think are a good fit, or
you want to find new colleges that are right for you, we have the
tips to get you started and the tools to finish the job

To find colleges that are a good fit, you need to learn about the factors that can influence your experience in and out of the classroom. Develop your personal list of college search criteria to find the best colleges for you.

A better search strategy will give you better results! Whether you want information about colleges you think are a good fit, or you want to find new colleges that are right for you, we have the tips to get you started and the tools to finish the job.

Expert
Advice

When you apply to college, planning and attention to detail really matter! Check out our advice on getting organized, how to make your college applications stand out, and what to do when decisions arrive.

When you apply to college, planning and attention to detail really matter! Check out our advice on getting organized, how to make your college applications stand out, and what to do when decisions arrive.

Tax Breaks for College

Many taxpayers leave money on the table by overlooking these valuable education tax breaks.

It's no secret that paying for a college education can be one of the biggest budget headaches for families and students. Fortunately, these tax breaks help you keep more of your money for college.

Determining Which Tax Break to Use

There are two tax credits and one deduction related to higher education expenses: You can take either the American Opportunity credit or the Lifetime Learning credit, which deduct education expenses from your tax. The student loan interest deduction (which can be taken along with either of the credits) reduces your taxable income.

Each of these tax breaks has its own rules for eligibility, which can change from year to year. Your best bet is to review these rules annually. The following information is based on the 2017 tax year.

The American Opportunity Credit

Amount of credit: 100 percent of the first $2,000 spent on qualified education expenses and 25 percent of the next $2,000. The maximum credit per student per year is $2,500.

College years covered: The first four undergraduate years of college.

Income limits: Single filers making less than $90,000 and joint filers making less than $180,000 may take up to a $2,500 credit. A reduced credit is available to single filers making $80,000–$90,000 and joint filers making $160,000–$180,000.

Qualified expenses: Tuition, required fees, and required course materials, including textbooks and computers. Student must be enrolled in a recognized degree or credential program.

Attendance: Student must attend an eligible institution at least half-time during the tax year.

Other: If the credit is greater than the tax owed, up to 40 percent of the excess may be refunded. If you claim the credit when you are not eligible, you can be banned from claiming the credit for 10 years.

The Lifetime Learning Credit

Amount of credit: Up to $2,000 per tax return (20 percent of the first $10,000 of qualified education expenses paid for eligible students).

College years covered: All college years, including postgraduate.

Income limits: Single filers making less than $56,000 and joint filers making less than $112,000 may take a credit up to $2,000. A reduced credit is available for single filers making $56,000–$66,000 and joint filers making $112,000–$132,000.

Qualified expenses: Tuition, fees, and required course materials for one or more courses to acquire or improve job skills.

Attendance: Enrollment by a family member in a college or vocational course during the tax year. Your family includes the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, and the taxpayer's dependents.

The Student Loan Interest Deduction

Amount of the deduction: A maximum $2,500.

College years covered: All college years, including postgraduate education.

Income limits: Single filers making less than $80,000 and joint filers making less than $135,000 may take a deduction up to $2,500. A reduced deduction is available to single filers making $65,000–$80,000 and joint filers making $135,000–$165,000.

Qualified expenses: The loan must have been used solely to pay for tuition and required fees, required books and equipment, transportation, and room and board. Expenses paid by a loan received from a person related to you or from a qualified employer plan are not eligible.

Attendance: Student must attend an eligible institution at least half-time during the tax year.

Other: You can take the deduction for every year you pay required or voluntary interest on the loan until the loan is paid. Only the person legally obligated to repay the education loan may take the interest deduction. You cannot deduct loan interest that is eligible to be deducted under a different tax rule. For example, if you use a home equity loan to pay for qualified education expenses, the interest is deductible as mortgage interest but not as education loan interest.

Ways to earn COLLEGEdata Dollars:

Complete your Admissions Profile.

Add colleges to your College Choices.

Update your Admissions Statuses.

Use the College Match tool.

What are COLLEGEdata Dollars (CD$)?

COLLEGEdata Dollars (CD$) are points you earn by completing certain COLLEGEdata activities. The maximum number of CD$ you can redeem is 5000. Once you have earned at least 2500 CD$, you can redeem them for $25, which will be provided to you on a Loyalty Card, and once you earn another 2500 CD$, you can redeem those CD$ for a second $25, which will also be provided to you on a Loyalty Card.

Earn points and redeem them for U.S. Dollars

Complete certain COLLEGEdata activities (for example, signing up, starting your Admissions Profile, searching for colleges, calculating your chances for admission, searching for scholarships, updating your Profile with your admission decisions). Each activity is worth a specific amount of points (CD$). You can redeem the points you earn for U.S. Dollars that will be issued to you in the form of a 1st Financial Bank USA Loyalty Mastercard®.

How do I earn COLLEGEdata Dollars?

You can earn CD$ by completing certain COLLEGEdata activities. As soon as you sign up and activate your COLLEGEdata account, explore COLLEGEdata and begin completing COLLEGEdata activities to earn points.

Here is a full list of COLLEGEdata activities for which you may earn CD$ and the number of CD$ you can earn by completing each activity.*

Activity

CD$

* CD$ you earn will expire if your CD$ Program account is inactive. An account will be inactive if no CD$ are earned and no CD$ are redeemed in any 12 consecutive calendar month period.

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Congratulations!

+ CD$

You just earned COLLEGEdata Dollars!

Check your CD$ Dashboard at the bottom of the page to view your CD$ balance, find other activities that you can complete to earn CD$, and redeem the CD$ you have earned for U.S. Dollars.